3 Defensive Dividend ETFs to Mitigate a Possible Market Decline
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Jan 08 2026
0mins
Should l Buy VZ?
Source: Barron's
Market Performance: The S&P 500 has experienced three consecutive years of double-digit returns, indicating a strong market performance during this period.
Investment Strategy: Dividend investors are encouraged to explore strategies that can provide more downside protection for their portfolios in light of potential market fluctuations.
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Analyst Views on VZ
Wall Street analysts forecast VZ stock price to fall
14 Analyst Rating
4 Buy
10 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 50.300
Low
43.00
Averages
46.42
High
51.00
Current: 50.300
Low
43.00
Averages
46.42
High
51.00
About VZ
Verizon Communications Inc. is a holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, provides communications, technology, information and streaming products and services to consumers, businesses and government entities. Its Consumer segment provides wireless and wireline communications services. It also provides fixed wireless access (FWA) broadband through its 5G or 4G Long-Term Evolution (LTE) networks portfolio. The Company's Business segment provides wireless and wireline communications services and products, including FWA broadband, data, video and advanced communication services, corporate networking solutions, security and managed network services, local and long-distance voice services and network access to deliver various Internet of Things (IoT) services and products. It provides these products and services to businesses, public sector customers and wireless and wireline carriers across the U.S. and a subset of these products and services to customers around the world.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Verizon's Strong Earnings Report Boosts Stock Price
- Strong Earnings: Verizon reported 616,000 postpaid phone net additions in Q4 2025, marking its highest quarterly net additions since 2019, indicating robust performance that may attract more investor interest.
- Dividend Appeal: With a history of 22 consecutive years of dividend increases, Verizon's latest quarterly dividend of $0.71 and a yield of approximately 5.6% provide a solid investment opportunity for those seeking stable returns during market volatility.
- Acquisition Expansion: The completion of the Frontier Communications acquisition has expanded Verizon's fiber access to over 30 million homes and businesses, enhancing its competitive edge in the high-speed internet market.
- Market Environment Impact: Amid increasing market volatility, investors are shifting from growth stocks to high-dividend value stocks, benefiting Verizon's performance, although the likelihood of sustained outperformance against the broader market remains low.
See More
Verizon Communications Shows Strong Stock Performance
- Stock Price Surge: As of March 27, Verizon Communications (VZ) has seen a 24% increase in stock price year-to-date, standing out in the tech sector and demonstrating resilience amid market volatility, which has attracted more investor interest.
- Dividend Growth: Verizon has raised its dividend for 22 consecutive years, with the latest quarterly dividend set at $0.71 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of approximately 5.6%, making it an attractive option for high-yield investors and enhancing the company's appeal.
- Strong Earnings: In Q4 2025, Verizon reported 616,000 net additions of postpaid phone users, marking the highest quarterly net additions since 2019, indicating robust performance in market competition and increasing customer demand.
- Acquisition Expansion: Verizon's acquisition of Frontier Communications has expanded its fiber access to over 30 million homes and businesses, further solidifying its position in the telecommunications market and driving future growth potential.
See More
Verizon Up 24% in 2026 and Increases Dividend: Time to Buy?
- Strong Stock Performance: As of March 27, Verizon's stock has risen 24% year-to-date, marking it as a standout performer in the tech sector, demonstrating resilience amid market volatility.
- Stable Dividend Growth: Verizon has raised its dividend for 22 consecutive years, with the latest quarterly dividend set at $0.71, resulting in a dividend yield of approximately 5.6%, making it attractive for income-seeking investors.
- Significant User Growth: In Q4 2025, Verizon reported 616,000 postpaid phone net additions, the highest quarterly net additions since 2019, indicating strong market demand and customer acquisition.
- Acquisition Expands Network: Verizon's acquisition of Frontier Communications has expanded its fiber access to over 30 million homes and businesses, enhancing its competitive position and service capabilities in the telecommunications market.
See More
Analysis of DVY ETF's 52-Week Price Fluctuations
- Price Range Analysis: The DVY ETF has a 52-week low of $115.94 and a high of $158.915, with the latest trade at $150.71, indicating relative stability in the current market that may attract investor interest.
- Technical Analysis Tool: Comparing the latest share price to the 200-day moving average can provide valuable insights for investors, helping them assess market trends and potential buying opportunities.
- ETF Trading Mechanism: Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) trade like stocks, where investors buy and sell 'units' that can be created or destroyed based on demand, impacting the fund's liquidity and market performance.
- Inflows and Outflows Monitoring: Weekly monitoring of changes in shares outstanding for ETFs experiencing significant inflows or outflows can provide investors with critical information regarding market sentiment and potential investment opportunities.
See More
Court Blocks T-Mobile's False Advertising Claim Against Verizon
- False Advertising Ruling: Judge Lewis Kaplan ruled that T-Mobile's advertisement claiming consumers could save over $1,000 annually by switching from Verizon's Unlimited Ultimate Plan is false, impacting T-Mobile's marketing strategy and credibility.
- Improper Comparison: Kaplan highlighted that T-Mobile compares Verizon's non-promotional rate of $195 with its promotional rate of $140, which misleads consumers and could hinder T-Mobile's customer acquisition efforts by creating confusion in the market.
- Price Guarantee Scrutiny: The ruling criticized T-Mobile's five-year price guarantee, stating there is no evidence that the claimed savings would last even one year, let alone five, potentially undermining consumer trust in T-Mobile's offerings.
- Market Impact Analysis: This ruling may negatively affect T-Mobile's brand image and market share while providing Verizon with legal protection against misleading advertising, ensuring its customer base remains intact amidst competitive pressures.
See More
U.S. COURT RULING FAVORS VERIZON BY HALTING T-MOBILE'S 'SAVE OVER $1,000' AD CAMPAIGN
Court Ruling: A U.S. judge has blocked T-Mobile's advertising campaign that claimed savings of over $1,000 for Verizon customers.
Impact on Advertising: The ruling affects how mobile carriers can market their services and claims regarding savings.
See More
Verizon's Strong Earnings Report Boosts Stock Price
- Strong Earnings: Verizon reported 616,000 postpaid phone net additions in Q4 2025, marking its highest quarterly net additions since 2019, indicating robust performance that may attract more investor interest.
- Dividend Appeal: With a history of 22 consecutive years of dividend increases, Verizon's latest quarterly dividend of $0.71 and a yield of approximately 5.6% provide a solid investment opportunity for those seeking stable returns during market volatility.
- Acquisition Expansion: The completion of the Frontier Communications acquisition has expanded Verizon's fiber access to over 30 million homes and businesses, enhancing its competitive edge in the high-speed internet market.
- Market Environment Impact: Amid increasing market volatility, investors are shifting from growth stocks to high-dividend value stocks, benefiting Verizon's performance, although the likelihood of sustained outperformance against the broader market remains low.
See More
Verizon Communications Shows Strong Stock Performance
- Stock Price Surge: As of March 27, Verizon Communications (VZ) has seen a 24% increase in stock price year-to-date, standing out in the tech sector and demonstrating resilience amid market volatility, which has attracted more investor interest.
- Dividend Growth: Verizon has raised its dividend for 22 consecutive years, with the latest quarterly dividend set at $0.71 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of approximately 5.6%, making it an attractive option for high-yield investors and enhancing the company's appeal.
- Strong Earnings: In Q4 2025, Verizon reported 616,000 net additions of postpaid phone users, marking the highest quarterly net additions since 2019, indicating robust performance in market competition and increasing customer demand.
- Acquisition Expansion: Verizon's acquisition of Frontier Communications has expanded its fiber access to over 30 million homes and businesses, further solidifying its position in the telecommunications market and driving future growth potential.
See More
Verizon Up 24% in 2026 and Increases Dividend: Time to Buy?
- Strong Stock Performance: As of March 27, Verizon's stock has risen 24% year-to-date, marking it as a standout performer in the tech sector, demonstrating resilience amid market volatility.
- Stable Dividend Growth: Verizon has raised its dividend for 22 consecutive years, with the latest quarterly dividend set at $0.71, resulting in a dividend yield of approximately 5.6%, making it attractive for income-seeking investors.
- Significant User Growth: In Q4 2025, Verizon reported 616,000 postpaid phone net additions, the highest quarterly net additions since 2019, indicating strong market demand and customer acquisition.
- Acquisition Expands Network: Verizon's acquisition of Frontier Communications has expanded its fiber access to over 30 million homes and businesses, enhancing its competitive position and service capabilities in the telecommunications market.
See More
Analysis of DVY ETF's 52-Week Price Fluctuations
- Price Range Analysis: The DVY ETF has a 52-week low of $115.94 and a high of $158.915, with the latest trade at $150.71, indicating relative stability in the current market that may attract investor interest.
- Technical Analysis Tool: Comparing the latest share price to the 200-day moving average can provide valuable insights for investors, helping them assess market trends and potential buying opportunities.
- ETF Trading Mechanism: Exchange-traded funds (ETFs) trade like stocks, where investors buy and sell 'units' that can be created or destroyed based on demand, impacting the fund's liquidity and market performance.
- Inflows and Outflows Monitoring: Weekly monitoring of changes in shares outstanding for ETFs experiencing significant inflows or outflows can provide investors with critical information regarding market sentiment and potential investment opportunities.
See More
Court Blocks T-Mobile's False Advertising Claim Against Verizon
- False Advertising Ruling: Judge Lewis Kaplan ruled that T-Mobile's advertisement claiming consumers could save over $1,000 annually by switching from Verizon's Unlimited Ultimate Plan is false, impacting T-Mobile's marketing strategy and credibility.
- Improper Comparison: Kaplan highlighted that T-Mobile compares Verizon's non-promotional rate of $195 with its promotional rate of $140, which misleads consumers and could hinder T-Mobile's customer acquisition efforts by creating confusion in the market.
- Price Guarantee Scrutiny: The ruling criticized T-Mobile's five-year price guarantee, stating there is no evidence that the claimed savings would last even one year, let alone five, potentially undermining consumer trust in T-Mobile's offerings.
- Market Impact Analysis: This ruling may negatively affect T-Mobile's brand image and market share while providing Verizon with legal protection against misleading advertising, ensuring its customer base remains intact amidst competitive pressures.
See More
U.S. COURT RULING FAVORS VERIZON BY HALTING T-MOBILE'S 'SAVE OVER $1,000' AD CAMPAIGN
Court Ruling: A U.S. judge has blocked T-Mobile's advertising campaign that claimed savings of over $1,000 for Verizon customers.
Impact on Advertising: The ruling affects how mobile carriers can market their services and claims regarding savings.
See More
